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A third Portland Trail Blazers starter has been added to the injury list with Robert Covington now listed as out with a concussion, according to the team’s digital reporter Casey Holdahl. He will miss their matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder as a result.
The team says @Holla_At_Rob33 has a concussion and is out for tonight’s game vs. OKC. If you’re keeping count, Portland now down three starters.
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) January 25, 2021
Covington, who has started at power forward all season, appeared to have suffered the injury during last night’s 116-113 win over the New York Knicks. It is unknown when Covington sustained the injury; however, he did suffer a blow to the face from Knick Julius Randle in the closing moments.
The NBA’s concussion protocol dictates that a player cannot return to the court until he has successfully gone through all concussion protocols and is cleared by a physician.
Covington joins fellow starters Jusuf Nurkic and CJ McCollum as well as big man Zach Collins on the sidelines. The injury will open the door for Gary Trent Jr., Carmelo Anthony, Nassir Little or Harry Giles III to make their first start of the season against the Oklahoma CIty Thunder tonight.
Blazers Injury Report:
— Jamie Hudson (@JamieHudsonNBCS) January 25, 2021
Robert Covington (concussion), CJ McCollum (left midfoot fracture), Jusuf Nurkic (right wrist fracture) and Zach Collins (left ankle stress fracture) are out for tonight’s game vs. Oklahoma City
Covington was acquired by the Blazers from the Houston Rockets for Trevor Ariza and two first-round picks. This season, he has recorded averages of 6.5 points on 28 per cent three point shooting, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.4 steals and .6 blocks.